If you’ve seen Tuacahn’s production of the Broadway musical Jersey Boys: The Story of Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons this summer, then you’ve seen the gorgeous classic cars that drive across the Outdoor Amphitheatre stage as part of the show. One of those cars, the beautiful cherry red 1960 Chevy Impala, was generously lent to Tuacahn this season from Senator Don Ipsom’s private car collection. The other, a 1963 Cadillac Convertible, was actually found in a salvage yard! Tuacahn swooped in and gave it new life, purchasing it for the show, restoring the engine, and getting it painted a sexy dark maroon.
A Classic Piece of History
Together, these classic cars represent an era of American automotive excellence. In fact, when the 1963 Cadillac came on the market, it secured a whopping 78% of the U.S. luxury car market with the sale of over 163,000 new cars! The cost at the time was $5,595, which is about $55,500 today. With its sleek lines, luxurious interior, and powerful engine, the new Cadillac became an icon of style, success, and sophistication.
From Showroom to Spotlight
Sixty-one years later, these cars are still turning heads, especially when they cruise into the spotlight on the Tuacahn stage! As any regular Tuacahn patron can tell you, using real cars on the stage isn’t a new concept for the Tuacahn Amphitheatre, but for Jersey Boys, the elegance of these classic cars, with all their original glory, has added an exciting splash of pizazz to the performances, sweeping audience members back in time to the 1960s.
Director Aaron De Jesus, who has a history performing at Tuacahn, as well as a ten-year history working with the Jersey Boys musical, explains how the Tuacahn production of Jersey Boys is like no other you’ve seen before.
“The Jersey Boys musical has never had real cars on stage,” he says, “and it’s really exciting to see how BIG the show is here on the Tuacahn stage. The original Broadway show was designed in a really minimalistic way—brilliantly so,” he adds, “with only fifteen cast members and a much smaller stage. But at Tuacahn, we have a lot more space to work with. We have double the cast, more dramatic, lively dance numbers, an expansive new set design, and, of course, the classic cars.”
When you understand the history of the Cadillac’s popularity in the 1960s, it makes perfect sense in Jersey Boys for Nick Massi to tell Bob Gaudio that this is the car he needs to buy! At the time, Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons were starting to make their mark on the music scene and with this one purchase, Bob Gaudio would be declaring their success to the world!
Experience the Magic
Just as the Cadillac was a status symbol for those who achieved the American Dream, this beautiful, restored car now serves as a symbol of the enduring appeal of Jersey Boys and the timeless music of The Four Seasons.
Come experience the magic of this era for yourself and see the show that everyone is talking about! Our patrons have sent us glowing reviews with “Better than Broadway” and “fantastically well done” and “GO! You will not be disappointed.”
Jersey Boys runs through October 19. Call the box office at 435-652-3300 or visit TUACAHN.ORG to get your tickets today!